8,000 shoe boxes collected locally for 'Operation Christmas Child'

For the past 15 years, Highland Park Baptist Church has participated in Samaritan’s Purse "Operation Christmas Child."

For the past 15 years, Highland Park Baptist Church has participated in Samaritan’s Purse "Operation Christmas Child."

At Highland Park, this project is sponsored by the Women’s Missions group under the direction of Lee Dillehay, missions director, and Mildred Whitley, assistant missions director. This year, a total of 300 boxes were collected at Highland Park.

Shoe boxes are packed with toys, candy, school supplies and personal hygiene items and wrapped for boys and girls around the world. Last year, the South Central Region of Tennessee brought in 4,667 boxes. This year’s goal was 5,000 boxes, but when boxes from all of the relay centers in the South Central Region were totaled, 8,205 boxes were collected. This means that more than 8,000 children will be blessed with the joy of receiving a shoe box full of special gifts.